Former Gardner football coach Walter Dubzinski Sr. dies at 93

Walter Dubzinski Sr., a legendary football coach at Gardner High and former National Football League player, died around 6:30 p.m. Friday night at the age of 93, according to his son, Walter Dubzinski Jr. -- the current Gardner High football coach.

"We knew this was coming, but it's not a great day," said one of Dubzinski's grandchildren, Steve Dubzinski, the former Leominster High boys' basketball coach and current Gardner High football assistant. "We have some great pictures and memories. I'm very lucky."

Gardner was certainly lucky to have Dubzinski Sr. as a teacher, administrator and coach.

"One of the things I saw as a kid growing up was a man that truly loved his job as a high school teacher and coach," Dubzinski Jr. said. "He was a role model."

The legendary coach, who was the head man from 1945-65 with the Wildcats, shaped boys into men on the gridiron and was extremely passionate about the city of Gardner. Dubzinski Sr. was born in Gardner and lived there his entire life.

"He loved the city of Gardner first and foremost," Steve Dubzinski said. "There was never any doubt who he was rooting for. He was a Gardner diehard."

Dubzinski Sr. was a gifted high school player and received a scholarship to play at Boston College. He was on Boston College's Cotton Bowl team in 1940 and the 1941 undefeated Sugar Bowl team that was crowned national champion after defeating Tennessee.

Dubzinski Sr. went on to play for the NFL's New York Giants in 1943 and the Boston Yanks in 1944.

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He served in World War II with the United States Coast Guard after his pro football career.

Steve Dubzinski believes his grandfather was the oldest living New York Giants and Boston College Eagles football player before his death.

Dubzinski Sr. was inducted into the Boston College Varsity Club Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994. He played fullback, center and then linebacker with the Eagles.

"Was he a fiery competitor? Yes," said Steve Dubzinski. "Did he care about people first? Yes.

"He was a good man, but the torch has been passed to Walter Jr."

Dubzinski Jr. also followed in his father's footsteps, attending Boston College (Class of 1964) before becoming a teacher and a football coach at Gardner High.

"I saw a man go to work every day and have a good day," Dubzinski Jr. said about his dad. "He loved his job. Coaching is very rewarding in many, many different ways, just like teaching.

"He tried to do something positive for the football program and Gardner High School every day. He tried to make it a better place every day."

Dubzinski Jr. also played high school football for his father.

"There was never a problem," he said. "He treated me like any other player. When things needed to be corrected, he corrected them. He was demanding, but fair. He always said you need to concentrate and work and put forth the effort. He was a very good teacher and he was fair.

"He wanted to be successful and competitive and wanted you to do the same."

Dubzinski Sr. is also a member of the Massachusetts High School Coaches Fall of Fame.

Even in his golden years, Dubzinski Sr. still had the fire and passion about the game of football, according to his grandson.

"I think he was around 70 and he chased a referee off the field," said Steve Dubzinski with a chuckle.

As the Gardner High coach, Dubzinski Sr. was known as a mastermind running the single-wing offense.

"He ran it to perfection," Steve Dubzinski said. "He had some secrets that he never told about it."

He was also tough-as-nails as a player and a coach.

"He used to suit up in practice," Steve Dubzinski said.

Dubzinski Sr. and his late wife, Ruth, are responsible for the legendary Dubzinski coaching tree that features sons Walter Dubzinski Jr. and former Leominster football coach John Dubzinski, and grandsons Steve Dubzinski and Wachusett Regional football coach Mike Dubzinski.

"We were very, very fortunate because we came from a very happy home," Walter Dubzinski Jr. said. "My father and mother were wonderful parents. We always came first and it was a great situation. Just a very happy home."

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